Limitless Evolution: I Have Infinite Potential.

Booming sounds echoed as the Kunpeng soared through the turbulent winds, causing the guards below to drop their weapons and kneel in reverence.

"Thank you, divine beast, for protecting the people of Great Zhou!"

Their voices surged like crashing waves.

"With the ghost clan attacking now, could the Kunpeng's sudden appearance be an omen for Great Zhou's fortune?" someone speculated.

As Wang Defa pondered over the divine beast's origins, a clear voice called down from above, "Someone come up here and explain the situation."

In an instant, the raucous cheers fell silent.

The guards exchanged bewildered glances, their faces full of shock.

So the divine beast had a master after all!

Wang Defa's heart skipped a beat. It dawned on him that a powerful cultivator must be passing by and had decided to intervene.

Suppressing his excitement, he leapt high toward the Kunpeng.

Whoosh!

Landing steadily on the beast's broad back, he was greeted by the sight of a grand palace and four imposing figures.

He immediately lowered his head and bowed deeply. "I am Wang Defa, commander of the Tiger Leopard Riders. It is an honor to meet you, seniors!"

"Speak. Which dynasty rules this land, and why are the ghost armies attacking you?" Ye Junlin asked, reclining lazily in his chair as Bai Xiaoxi handed him a cup of milk tea.

Wang Defa's expression sharpened. From the demeanor alone, he could tell this one was the leader.

The aura, the posture — unmistakably a true powerhouse.

"Senior, this is the territory of the Great Zhou Dynasty. As for the attack, we're unsure of their motives. But from what the fallen ghost general revealed, a full-scale assault is imminent."

"A fierce battle is certain!"

Ye Junlin frowned.

For the Underworld's ghost clan to brazenly invade the human realm like this — were they not afraid of a retaliation from the cultivators' sects and factions?

The ghost clan was a major force in the Underworld. If they acted this boldly, other dark races might soon follow suit.

Li Wujie mused, "The ghost clan thrives in dark, humid places. What could they possibly want from the Great Zhou?"

Hong Qianye spoke flatly, "Why waste time overthinking? If they come, we'll wipe them out."

Wang Defa's heart surged with hope. He looked toward the striking figure in crimson and cautiously said, "My lady, are you… willing to aid the Great Zhou in this time of crisis? On behalf of our people, I thank you for your boundless compassion!"

"Heh," Hong Qianye snorted, glancing away, clearly disinterested.

"Ah…" Wang Defa's face flushed with embarrassment. But thinking about it, they were strangers after all. Why would anyone so powerful get involved in someone else's troubles?

Ye Junlin, sensing deeper motives at play, stroked his chin. At that moment, a familiar voice echoed in his mind:

[Ding! Congratulations, host. Mission triggered: Defeat the ghost army invading the Great Zhou Dynasty to earn a valuable reward!]

"Well then, we'll treat this as our temporary base," Ye Junlin decided, clearing his throat and straightening up before announcing:

"Since foreign races are causing chaos and slaughtering the innocent, as a cultivator of this world, how can I stand by and do nothing?"

"Spread the word. Tell them I'll intervene."

Wang Defa, who moments ago felt hopeless, lit up with excitement. He dropped to one knee and clasped his fists. "Senior, the Great Zhou will never forget your grace!"

He was overjoyed. If even the divine Kunpeng was this man's mount, just how powerful must he be?

With this promise, perhaps their people still had a chance to survive.

Li Wujie grinned. "Master is wise!"

As a cultivator of the Eastern Domain, he too despised the Underworld's invasion.

Hong Qianye rolled his eyes. "What a busybody."

"May I ask, senior, your name and your sect's affiliation?" Wang Defa asked cautiously.

"Xuantian Sect. Ye Junlin." Ye Junlin took a leisurely sip of his milk tea.

Boom!

Wang Defa felt like a bolt of lightning struck his skull, leaving his head buzzing.

Piecing together what he'd heard and what he now saw, he realized this was the infamous figure shaking up the Eastern Domain lately — the white-haired demon god of slaughter!

The one who had repeatedly humiliated the Eastern Domain's number one immortal sect!

"Ye, Ye Venerable… I've admired you for a long time!" Wang Defa's forehead beaded with cold sweat as he forced a smile, his voice trembling.

Clad in a black robe embroidered with gold and crowned with striking silver hair, everything about this figure felt eerily familiar.

But Wang Defa had always imagined Ye Junlin as some ancient monster with a full head of white hair.

Who would have guessed he was so young?

"Venerable?" Ye Junlin raised an eyebrow. It seemed news traveled slowly here; they didn't even know about what had happened during the recent banquet.

But it didn't matter — it was just a title.

"Come on, take me to meet your sovereign."

"Yes, sir!"

The Kunpeng surged through the skies above Panshi City as the people below knelt, offering thanks to the divine beast for its protection.

Wang Defa's spirits soared. Grasping a flag emblazoned with the Great Zhou insignia, he rode at the forefront, clearing the path.

Although the threat to Panshi City was averted, elsewhere, ghost armies laid siege to other strongholds. The flames of war spread rapidly.

A thousand miles from the capital,

Sixty thousand of the Great Zhou's finest troops assembled.

The ground teemed with towering bronze giants, while silver-armored soldiers atop them gripped long spears that gleamed with a cold light.

Warships blotted out the sun, creating an oppressive atmosphere. Countless archers readied their bows, each arrow shimmering with deadly power.

This formidable formation would pose a lethal threat even to Transformation Stage cultivators. Unity Stage powerhouses would think twice before approaching.

The army was fully prepared to meet the invading ghost horde.

Inside the command tent,

Several armored generals gathered around a map dotted with red markers, urgently discussing the battle plan.

"Several ghost army divisions have already breached our outer defenses and are advancing directly toward the capital!"

"They're clearly aiming for a swift, decisive strike!"

"Reports suggest that multiple Unity Stage ghost generals have appeared, and it's possible a Great Ascension-level commander is leading them."

Everyone's faces grew grim at those words.

One general hesitated before voicing his suspicion. "Could it be that the ghost clan believes we possess some treasure they desire? Why else would they strike so suddenly and so fiercely for the palace?"

The room fell silent.

All eyes drifted toward a tall, imposing figure clad in golden armor, a crimson cloak draped over his shoulders.

This was the Crown Prince, heir to the Great Zhou Emperor.

The Crown Prince furrowed his brow. "I understand your worries, but regrettably, even as Crown Prince, I am unaware of any such treasure."

"Your Highness, forgive my recklessness," the general quickly apologized, bowing deeply.

The Crown Prince waved a hand. "No need. In the face of this ghost clan invasion, our priority is to hold the line. If it truly comes to it, our forces will cover the retreat of as many civilians as possible. As long as lives remain, our nation endures."

"Your Highness's care for the people is a blessing to the Great Zhou!" the generals exclaimed.

The Crown Prince sighed. "That's only a last resort. I hope that the other forces in Cangzhou, as fellow members of the human race, will extend a hand to aid us against the ghost clan."

At that moment, a sudden commotion erupted outside the tent.

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